Political Quotes

“Today I ask for the House's attention to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Talladega 500 Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama. In the mid-1960s, NASCAR founder Bill France, Sr., envisioned a bigger and faster track on the NASCAR circuit. After meeting with local race car driver and fan Bill Ward of Anniston, Alabama, the location was selected for the track, and the groundbreaking ceremony for the Alabama International Motor Speedway--today known as the Talladega Superspeedway--took place on May 23, 1968. The first race, the Talladega 500, was held on September 14, 1969, with Richard Brickhouse winning that race. I had the good fortune to be in attendance that day with my dad. The race played a major role in NASCAR's history, as many of the top stars of the sport walked out the day before the race due to concerns over tire wear on the 200-mile-per- hour track. Mr. France said the race would go on and recruited drivers from the smaller NASCAR Touring Series, the Bama 400, the day before to replace them. The Talladega Superspeedway is the most competitive racetrack on the NASCAR schedule, the highest banked, and the longest, as well as the most fan friendly. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing the anniversary of the Talladega Superspeedway. ____________________”